Racism

RACISM ESSAY

Racism is one of the world's major issues today. Many people are not aware of how much racism still exists in our schools workforces, and anywhere else where social lives are occurring. It is obvious that racism is bad as it was many decades ago but it sure has not gone away. Racism very much exists and it is about time that people need to start thinking about the instigations and solutions to this matter. Many people believe that it depends on if a person was brought into the world as a racist or not but that is not the case at all. In fact, an individual cannot be born a racist but only learn to become one as they grow from child to adulthood. Basic causes, mainstream, institutions, government, anti racism groups, and even some hidden events in Canada's past are a few of the possible instigations and solutions to racism.

To begin with, frustration is a very common cause of racism. If one is having some sort of a social problem, they tend to get very angry with people who are not even concerned with their situation. For instance, when a person is having a tough time economically, they find it easy to blame immigrants for taking away their jobs or creating fewer opportunities (Abanes 1992,12-15). This type of an analysis is very easy to make but when one makes this assumption, it usually leads to hate towards any minority group. The psychological factor is also common disturbance that is found as the root of racism. People with tough childhood may sometimes produce anger and hate towards others (Hayes 1995, 4-5). This kind of person is inclined to dominate others as these qualities attract to racism because of the way racism divides the world into superior and inferior. In these types of situations, one can only picture of what might go through the heads of such individuals. However, in some cases aggravation is only created by the mental thought. Change is a particular device that people cannot handle at all times. People are more comfortable around the recognizable and they find it hard to adapt to a culture that they are not familiar being with. Since 1987, Chinese have been settling in Vancouver, as the suburb of Richmond went from one in twenty to one in three of its residents being Chinese, in two decades. This rapid change was not acceptable for many people who moved out for that very reason so they can live in a "white town" again (Rupet 1996,13-15). On the other hand, one does not have to be a racist to increase the racism around them. For example, silence does not necessarily mean it can prevent racism but it may actually provoke it. Studies show that people are reluctant to speak out towards their friends or family who like to express their racist views. The report shows that such silence encourages the racists from voicing their opinion to direct violence (Rupet 1996,16). Most causes just are all based on or created by some sort of stereotype, which clearly develops discrimination. Many blacks may find that they have limits set around them when they are stereotyped as "good athletes and musicians"(Hayes 1995,27). This makes it very difficult for blacks to be taken seriously in any other fields of goals. It is quite evident that frustration is the root of all these common causes of racism and such annoyance is only produced by a vulnerable mind of an individual who is confused because of the troubles they are experiencing.

Furthermore, the mainstream is one of the most powerful impacts on racism. When extremists such as "skinheads"(white racists with clean shaved scalps) create violence or bombings, usually the derivation is the mild intolerance of some mainstream thoughts. When politicians and radio talk show hosts complain about a minority group or immigrants, there is a huge population of people out there who are nodding their heads in agreement. Toronto's own Ernst Zundel believes that the Holocaust never happened and that it is all a Jewish conspiracy. This man is known for his views and is said to be a very powerful influence in Canada among those who promote racial hatred (Lethbridge 1997,3). Racist groups look up to these types of individuals as spokespeople who are expressing these revolting views publicly and are reaching out to many people who are dealing with stress. People believe extremists just recruit their children or other family members to join their group, but that is far from the truth. When recruiting, extremists such as the "Wolfgange Dreoge" target the younger audience on the Youth Street. Providing them with food, clothing, an area to stay, just brings them closer to the group. Once there in the group, they are prepared for the "racial holy war" against blacks, Jews, and Asians who they believe are responsible for their misfortunes (Randall 1994,9). Most groups are becoming more sophisticated, as they are sugar coating their hate messages so their views can make their way into the political agenda. In 1995, Canada's reform party immigration critic spoke about the links between violent crime and immigrants, while the U.S. representative, accused immigrants of "murdering our children" (Whitton 1998,30). However the mainstream is not only being used by racist groups, but by anti-racism groups as well. There are many groups such as the Anti-racist action (ARA) who use violence to achieve their goals. The ARA trashed the home of spokesperson Gary Schipper, in June of 1993. In 1995, an arsonist set fire to the home of Holocaust denier Ernst Zundel (Hayes 1995,41-43). Aside from targeting the people and firms they consider being racist, this type of violence serves the purpose of publicity. The media cannot ignore these activities, and in giving them news coverage, it widely publicizes the views of these responsible groups. Clearly, the mainstream or the media can be used for both for and against racism but it is palpable that extremists have more advantage on the media than the anti racism groups do. When racist groups voice their negative opinions in public, the media will be all over it, but if it is a anti-racism group that is talking about solutions to prevent racism, it is very rare that one will hear about it on the radio or read about it in the paper.

Finally, the most multifarious cause of racism in Canada is our institutions. The criminal justice system is not consistent enough and studies show a lot of discrimination occurring in our prisons and courts. In many cases, it is the people who protect our rights who commit injustices. The report of the "Commission on Systemic Racism" in the Ontario criminal justice system says it is the police, judges, and lawyers, who are largely responsible for the lack of confidence in the fairness of the criminal justice system. It is these people who make decisions based on assumptions and stereotypes.